Your pet is family, but when they die the world can push you into fast choices while you’re still in shock. We talk with Lauren Calvey from Aspen Meadows Pet Aquamation and Memorial Services about what a slower, more human approach to pet aftercare can look like and why “aftercare matters” isn’t just a slogan when you’re grieving.

Laura breaks down aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, and how it differs from traditional flame pet cremation. We get practical about what the process involves, why it can feel gentler, and what families often don’t realize about the typical chain of custody after euthanasia, including refrigeration, transport, and multiple handoffs. Her core message is simple: you deserve trust, transparency, and the chance to understand your options before you say yes to anything.

We also talk about pet memorial services that mirror what many families expect for human funerals: time for a viewing, a goodbye session, paw prints, keepsakes, and even creative memorial possibilities that some people are afraid to ask for. Laura shares how her background in forensic medicine and years as a grief and trauma clinician shapes the way she supports families, especially when kids, partners traveling home, or other pets need time to say goodbye too.

If you’ve never heard of pet aquamation in Scranton, Clark Summit, or NEPA, this conversation is your starting point, including how pre-planning can reduce panic on the hardest day. Subscribe, share this with a fellow pet parent, and leave a review with one question you want us to answer next.